Conductor honored during Woodlands Academy's concert

In addition to an evening of holiday-themed vocal and instrumental music, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart's annual Christmas concert Dec. 12 included the presentation of an award from a statewide organization to a music department faculty member.

Symphonic Orchestra conductor Lauren Moldenhauer received the Illinois Council of Orchestras Board Leadership Award in recognition of outstanding service as the council's executive director from 2015-2019.

Given a choice of venue for the presentation of this honor, Moldenhauer selected Woodlands Academy, Lake Forest's all-girls, college-preparatory high school.

Lake Forest Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Timothy Corpus, who currently serves the ICO as its board president, made the presentation.

"Lauren's leadership of the organization helped us transition through two different board presidents and the creation of a new website," Corpus said.

"It was a pleasure working with Lauren, and I look forward to working with her more in the future."

As executive director, Moldenhauer also supervised ICO events such as the annual conference, town hall meetings and annual awards presentations to orchestras throughout Illinois. She left the ICO in mid-2019 to focus more on her loves of performing and teaching.

An accomplished musician herself, Moldenhauer was named to the position of principal flute with the Lake County Symphony Orchestra in 2017. She's been Woodlands Academy's orchestra teacher since 2013.

"We're so proud of Lauren for receiving this peer recognition of her service while leading the Illinois Council of Orchestras," said Head of School Meg Steele.

"We're also very proud of what she's done here. Under her leadership, Woodlands Academy orchestras have consistently brought home top honors from national music competitions in places such as New York City; Washington, D.C.; Boston; Seattle; and Philadelphia."

Founded in 1974, the Illinois Council of Orchestras has served as the statewide advocacy and service organization for the orchestral community in Illinois. It does this by promoting the development and success of orchestras across the state and responding to their needs in ways that include encouraging financial support for orchestras from all possible sources, as well as promoting the exchange of ideas and resources among members.

The ICO's annual awards program recognizes orchestras, conductors and volunteers that have demonstrated exceptional achievement.

Founded in 1858, Woodlands Academy is an independent Catholic college preparatory day and boarding high school for young women. It's part of a worldwide network of Sacred Heart Schools that spans the United States and 40 other countries.

A nonprofit, Woodlands Academy's identity is rooted in Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat's desire to inspire young hearts and minds to excel, to lead lives of integrity and to serve.

For more information about Woodlands Academy, visit www.woodlandsacademy.org.

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